Colors, food and culture at Holi festival on Saturday

Friday

Mar 29, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 29, 2013 at 7:03 AM

There’s no shortage of colors at Braj Mandir, one of few Hindu temples on the South Shore, on any given day. On a Sunday in late March, sunlight streams in the drive-thru window – the temple was previously occupied by a Friendly’s – and illuminates yellow walls, backdrops to young children dressed in bright, intricate saris and Kashmir dresses that drop down to their similarly colorful, though some mismatched, socks.

Eryn Carlson

There’s no shortage of colors at Braj Mandir, one of few Hindu temples on the South Shore, on any given day. On a Sunday in late March, sunlight streams in the drive-thru window – the temple was previously occupied by a Friendly’s – and illuminates yellow walls, backdrops to young children dressed in bright, intricate saris and Kashmir dresses that drop down to their similarly colorful, though some mismatched, socks.

As some of the girls practice a classical dance from Southern India called bharatanatyam, their hair adorned with gold veils, it’s hard to imagine that Braj Mandir’s color palette can expand further, but this upcoming Saturday, it will. The children are rehearsing for the temple’s annual Holi celebration, also known as the Festival of Colors, which will be held at the temple and the adjacent South School.

This year, the festival is expected to draw more than 1,000 people, of all backgrounds, from all over – and even outside of - the state.

“At the festival, we promote that the whole world is one family,” said Keshav Sharain, president of Sri Radha Bhakti, the religious organization that runs the temple. “The most important part is that seniors, adults and kids get to let their inner child come out.”

Ram Srinivasan, a member of the temple helping organize the festival, explained that the most popular aspect of Holi is the “throwing of the colors,” where celebrators literally douse each other in powdered colors of every shade.

At Braj Mandir, the throwing of the colors will be accompanied by various dance performances, prasadam – a huge feast of vegetarian dishes such as dal makhani, creamy black lentils, and aloo methi, made of potato and fennel – and a retelling of Holi’s origins in a drama, “A Story of a Person Named Pradhalad,” complete with glittering costumes and elaborate face masks.

The drama will reference the deeper religious and cultural meaning that accompanies Holi for Hindus, whether they’re observing in India, Nepal or here on the South Shore. The festival commemorates the divine love of the female deity Radha – who Braj Mandir is dedicated to – for her husband, the supreme Hindu deity Krishna. It also celebrates the triumph of love and prayer over Hiranyakashipu, “the king of the demons,” and his sister, Holika.

“It’s about the victory of good over evil,” said temple member Sanjeev Kumar, who moved to Braintree from northern India 13 years ago. “But it’s also about celebrating the change of weather, the future. Everybody likes it – the spirit behind it is universal, but the manifestation is local (to India). It’s a fun, good time.”

Kumar’s daughter, Riya, 9, was among the many children dancing at the rehearsal, wearing a teal dress adorned with gold sequins to match the veil covering her hair. At the festival, dancers such as Riya will perform both traditional and modern pieces, including some from Bollywood movies.

Vinita and Alok Khandelwal, of Quincy, are excited to bring their year-old daughter, Avikla, to her first Holi festival on Saturday.

“The spirit of Holi is very fun. It’s very colorful,” said Vinita.

The Holi festival, which is free, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this upcoming Saturday, March 30 at Braj Mandir, 711 South Franklin St. and right behind the temple at South School, 719 South Franklin St.

Those attending wishing to participate in the throwing of the colors should wear white clothing, or any other items that they don’t mind getting brightly colored.

For more information, call the temple at 781-767-0990 or visit www.sriradhabhakti.org.